LC Churches need more space, donations as ICE releases more and more migrants

Las Cruces churches need more space and resources for the migrants from Central America as more are released into the community by federal immigration authorities.

When the migrants come to the US, ICE takes custody of the migrants then releases them to shelters that help the migrants meet up with sponsor families.

Reverend George Miller, of El Calvario Church, said housing the migrants is possible through donation. “There is a tremendous need, not only for food, but for clothing and medical services,” Miller said, “Our shelter facilities, spaces are full.”

A Guatemalan migrant staying at EL Calvario said he left his country and came to the U.S. to improve the life of his family. He said he was fearful during his journey, but now that he’s in the U.S he is “feeling happy.”

A few miles down the road is Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, another church housing migrants. There are so many migrants coming in, the church is opening up more shelters.

Sylvia Corona, the clothing coordinator for the Oak Tree Troject for the Las Cruces Diocese, helps take care of all the supplies that come in for the church.

“We take about 30-40 people each week at our own center at Immaculate Heart, but the need has just outgrown our facility,” Corona said.

The two new shelters are San Albino in Mesilla and Our lady of Purification in Doña Ana.

All the shelters are possible through donations and with more migrants coming, donations are needed.

All the supplies needed for the migrants sit in a large metal container in the parking lot of Immaculate. The clothes are all separated in someones backyard. Both places are running out of space.

Anything from food, clothes, hygiene products, money and space for migrants or supplies are needed for all the shelters. If you want to donate, you can stop by the churches:

Immaculate heart of Mary- 1240 S Espina St, Las Cruces, NM 88001 El Calvario United Methodist- 300 N Campo St, Las Cruces, NM 88001